EVERY SOLDIER TO LEARN COBBLING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 452, 30 March 1912, Page 6

EVERY SOLDIER TO LEARN COBBLING.

; THE NEW BOOT. The Government of the United States will shortly inaugurate an improvement in its army boot, which it is thought will be of great benefit. This latest improvement is teaching every soldier to be his own bootmaker. The new type of boot, which is to form part of the equipment and apparel of the foot soldier, will obviate some of the difficulties which arise from breaking in of new boots while the men are on a campaign. The new boot is so arranged that it may be re-soled and the soldier himself. The boot has four soles. The outer and middle soles are formed of a compressed and specially treated leather. The heels are also interchangeable, and are constructed of two stout layers of specially treated leather, both heels and soles may not only be detaebjed and renewed when worn out, but the heels may he shifted from one boot to the other. That this is of benefit is evidenced by the fact that a great many people wear their heels down unevenly. By a special process the uppers of the boots are also treated, which makes them soft and flexible, at the same time making them waterproof. No amount of soaking in water makes them lose their flexibility upon subsequent drying, nor even if dried before a fire. The weight of the new boot is not very great, and a soldier may carry a number of extra soles and heels.